Methods and apparatuses for removing thermal energy from a nuclear reactor

Abstract

Method and apparatuses are provided for removing thermal energy from a nuclear reactor, which are fault tolerant. The apparatus includes at least one heat pipe configured to absorb thermal energy produced by the nuclear reactor. In addition, the apparatus includes a first compartment thermally coupled to the at least one heat pipe. The first compartment is configured to contain a first gas. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a second compartment thermally coupled to the at least one heat pipe. The second compartment is configured to contain a second gas and configured to isolate the second gas from the first gas.

1. A method for removing thermal energy from a nuclear reactor, comprising the steps of:
 absorbing thermal energy produced by the nuclear reactor;  
 transferring at least a first portion of the thermal energy to a first compartment coupled to a first gas inlet and a first gas outlet;  
 transferring at least a second portion of the thermal energy to a second compartment coupled to a second gas inlet and a second gas outlet;  
 introducing a first gas into said first compartment, said first gas inlet and said first gas outlet and a second gas into said second compartment, said second gas inlet and said second gas outlet; and  
 pneumatically isolating said second gas introduced into said second compartment, said second as inlet and said second gas outlet from said first gas introduced into said first compartment, said first gas inlet and said first gas outlet.  
 
   
   
     2. The method for removing thermal energy from the nuclear reactor of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 transferring at least a third portion of the thermal energy to a third compartment coupled to a third gas inlet and a third gas outlet;  
 introducing a third gas into said third compartment, said third gas inlet and said third gas outlet; and  
 pneumatically isolating said third gas introduced into said third compartment, said third gas inlet and said third gas outlet from said first gas introduced into said first compartment, said first gas inlet and said first as outlet.  
 
   
   
     3. The method for removing thermal energy from the nuclear reactor of  claim 2 , further comprising the step of pneumatically isolating said third gas introduced into said third compartment, said third gas inlet and said third gas outlet from said second gas introduced into said second compartment, said second gas inlet and said second gas outlet. 
   
   
     4. The method for removing thermal energy from the nuclear reactor of  claim 2 , further comprising the steps of:
 transferring at least a fourth portion of the thermal energy to a fourth compartment coupled to a fourth gas inlet and said fourth gas outlet;  
 introducing a fourth gas into said fourth compartment, said fourth gas inlet and said fourth gas outlet; and  
 pneumatically isolating said fourth gas introduced into said fourth compartment, said fourth gas inlet and said fourth gas outlet from said first gas introduced into said first compartment, said first gas inlet and said first gas outlet.  
 
   
   
     5. The method for apparatus for removing thermal energy from the nuclear reactor of  claim 4 , further comprising the steps of pneumatically isolating said fourth gas introduced into said fourth compartment, said fourth gas inlet and said fourth gas outlet from said second gas introduced into said second compartment, said second gas inlet and said second gas outlet and said third gas introduced into said third compartment, said third gas inlet and said third gas outlet. 
   
   
     6. The method for removing thermal energy from the nuclear reactor of  claim 4 , further comprising the steps of:
 transferring at least a fifth portion of the thermal energy to a fifth compartment coupled to a fifth gas inlet and a fifth gas outlet;  
 introducing a fifth gas into said fifth compartment, said fifth gas inlet and said fifth gas outlet; and  
 pneumatically isolating said fifth gas introduced into said fifth compartment, said fifth gas inlet and said fifth gas outlet from said first gas introduced into said first compartment, said fourth gas inlet and said first gas outlet.  
 
   
   
     7. The method for apparatus for removing thermal energy from the nuclear reactor of  claim 6 , further comprising the steps of pneumatically isolating said fifth gas introduced into said fifth compartment, said fifth gas inlet and said fifth gas outlet from said second gas introduced into said second compartment, said second gas inlet and said second gas outlet, said third gas introduced into said third compartment, said third gas inlet and said third gas outlet, and said fourth gas introduced into said fourth compartment, said fourth gas inlet and said fourth gas outlet.